Method and apparatus for feeding and laminating sheets

Abstract

A laminating machine consists of a feeding mechanism for continuously supplying sheets along a path towards a laminating roll which also receives a continuous supply of laminating film. The laminating film is fed from a continuous supply and a dewrinkling mechanism is disposed along the path to remove any wrinkles prior to being received into the laminating rolls. The laminating machine also incorporates a decurling mechanism downstream of the laminating rolls for removing any tendency of the laminated material to curl between opposite ends. The sheet feeding mechanism also incorporates novel means for delivering the sheets and accurately controlling the flow of the sheets during the laminating process.

I claim: 
     
       1. A sheet feeding mechanism comprising a stacking bin for receiving a stack of sheets, a stop adjacent said bin positioned to engage a leading edge of said sheets, means for moving said sheets towards said stop, a gripping member reciprocable along a path for said sheets and having vacuum gripping means for gripping an exposed sheet adjacent a trailing edge, guide means extending generally parallel to said path and supporting said gripping means, moving means for moving said gripping means toward and away from said stack of sheets, said moving means including first and second spaced cylinder and piston rod assemblies with said first piston rod being retracted into said first cylinder to tilt said trailing edge of said exposed sheet and said second piston rod being subsequently retracted into said second cylinder to move said trailing edge away from said stack of sheets, and drive means for reciprocating said gripping member along said guide means to initially move a gripped sheet in one direction away from said stop and in the opposite direction along said path. 
     
     
       2. A sheet feeding mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said drive means includes a rotatable member rotated about a fixed axis and a link connected at one end to said gripping member and at an opposite end to said rotatable member at a point spaced from said fixed axis. 
     
     
       3. A sheet feeding means as defined in claim 1, in which said sheets are fed to a laminating machine including a drive roller and a cooperating laminator roller, further including decurling means cooperating with said drive roller and said laminating roller comprising a frame pivoted on said drive roller and a pair of rollers on an outer end of said frame, at least one of which is driven, and adjustable means for varying the angular orientation of said frame with respect to said path.